After three weeks (and ~2000 miles), I think I've gotten a fuller grasp of the RX-8 experience. That prompted me to do a quick "comparo" between my RX-8 and my old MINI Cooper S...

http://www.halcyoneffect.net/archive..._vs_mazda.html

Right after getting my RX-8, I also did a writeup of why I chose the RX-8 over some of its other competition...

http://www.halcyoneffect.net/archive...zoom_zoom.html

 

Intersting...one ? - why the nice track layout pic in your review but nothing about it in the text - do you run there?.... looks like a heck of a fun place to compare cars! Running them there would have given your handling section some authoritative comparison opinions that are a cut above day-to-day driving feeling. Cheers.

 

I printed this out for my wife. She not too wild about my 8, mainly because she has back problems & hates getting in & out of it. She loves the look of the Mini (now drives a Hyundai Santa Fe) and Im trying to steer her toward one. Thanks for the comparison, GT-rex. PS. How IS getting in & out of the Mini? Easier than the 8?

 

That's Willow Springs (and Streets of Willow) Raceway. I don't run there, but my friends do on their motorcycles. I just snagged that photo since I had it from another entry on my site covering one of their track days.

Two things I enjoy keep me off of the track... insurance and warranties.

 

The MINI does win on that one. Except for the back, entry/exit is pretty easy in the MINI. The RX-8 definitely requires some tighter maneuvering. It took me a couple of days to get my entry procedure down (without scuffing anything) and even after two weeks, I once hit my head on the roof while getting out (and I'm only 5'9").

Still, when it comes to ride quality, the RX-8 is noticably softer on the spine if you're sensitive to that. That's a tough one... Late in '03 (months after mine was built), MINI "softened" the suspension a bit, but I'm not sure how much more compliant it is or how it compares to the RX-8. Personally, I'm convinced it's mainly the runflats that made the MINI's ride somewhat "rough/brutal" at times.

 

Nice Review ... I own both and find that the 8 has more pull throughout the power band (even after the pulley upgrade on the Mini) and is more "civil" day to day. Also the bottom line is you cannot beat a "true" sports car with the one critical element .... RWD!

Though both cars are great .... that is if you don't have kids or any other passengers

Zoomby_u

 

About the comment about the floor carpet sliding forward, there is a metal hook that you can hook the carpet to to prevent that. It should be installed during PDI.

 

Thanks. I printed & passed your posting onto my wife. Id love to see her get a Mini.

 

Good luck. They're terrific cars if it was a good day at the factory. Hope she gets a good one.

http://www.halcyoneffect.net/archive...ior_mon_a.html

I'd also suggest doing a lot of reading up on http://www.MINI2.com and asking lots of questions there. I stalked that site for a few months before buying mine. http://www.northamericanmotoring.com is another pretty good site.

Coming from an RX-8, you'll likely be amazed at the amount of fun you get relative to the gas mileage. Even though I factored the fuel economy of the RX-8 into my buying calculations, I still feel a bit of "wallet shock" whenever I visit the pump.

 

Any pictures of that? I briefly looked and couldn't find anything. The other day I made a lot of trips and found myself re-adjusting my floor mat just almost everytime I got into the car. I'll probably take a closer look for any hook locations when I get to work today. After reading your comment, I also noticed that the "sign and install PDI sticker" step was not checked on the inspection checklist...slightly odd, but I'm guessing it's a minor oversight.

 

I had the same problem. The hook was in the glove box. Some people report that there's was in the trunk with the tools. The carpet hook is a flat strip of metal with about half of it offset by 1" with a straight cylindrical "hook" on one end and a hole on the other. If you push the driver's seat all the way back there is a ridge with a plastic pop rivet that can be unscrewed to hold it down.

 

yea the carpet hook is something that often got missed during PDI, i had to bitch to my dealership during delivery to make sure they put one in...

 

Awesome...so THAT is what that piece is for. Thanks for the info. I noticed the part in my glove box during delivery, but I couldn't quite figure out what it was for.

 

I was at streets of willow this past sunday, and a grey mini coop past me on the big stright, was that you? hahaha I was really sad and all my friends made fun of me.

 

haha, nope, that wasn't me.

BTW, I added a quick update to the review. A couple of weeks ago, I discovered a major source of the odd handling characteristics my RX-8 had. The dealer had grossly over-inflated my tires. I'm talking about every tire being over 50PSI cold! I specifically asked about tire pressures before/after they prepped my car...I should know by now to always double check service department work. I was pretty steamed when I checked my tires and found out. At first, I thought my guage was broken. It's a miracle my tires hadn't blown...luckily it's winter and I hadn't had any significant road debris/pothole incidents.

Happy Holidays

 

The RX-8's are shipped from the factory with tires hyper-inflated. During prep the dealer is supposed to adjust the pressure down.

 

Cool review - I'm thinking of selling my MX-5 for an 8, 'tho I'm interested in the Mini Cooper S, too. (Had a GTI 337 for two years.)

So which car is better on a 300-mile trip on the interstate, the Mini or the 8? (The long, droning interstate trip is my one pet peeve with the Miata.)

 

Thanks. When it comes to long-distance cruising comfort, the RX-8 would win hands down. The MINI definitely also drones and is a little rougher on the back (especially if you keep the runflats). Not back breaking, but it's noticable after some time. The only other awkward ergo issue that I've discovered in the RX-8 is that with a comfortable seating position (for me), the lack of an adjustable headrest can be a bit discomforting. Leaning my head/shoulders back isn't really an option for around-the-town driving, but is fine once you're highway cruising and aren't constantly turning your head very far. Still, it seems like I'm compressing my my chin into my neck a bit...probably creates an interesting side profile.

 

That seems pretty dangerous, but I suppose the responsibility still squarely falls on the dealer to make sure a car is roadworthy when prepping it for a customer. At the very least, they could actually check what they claim to have checked.

 

I have never ever driven a car where I actually used the headrest whilst I'm the driver driving. I find it annoying getting my head slapped when going over bumps. I much prefer to use my skeletal muscles to keep my head upright and stable. However, I do use the headrest when I am a passenger... snoozing.

Happy New Year everybody. Hoping you all a very high revving year.